Simple Mobile Unlimited is not so unlimited after all

[Cappii]

So it seems that the "unlimited" web on Simple Mobile is NOT unlimited after all. Their advertisements and web site all say "unlimited", and even their terms of service doesn't offer anything concrete on the matter.

In speaking with a CSR @ Simple Mobile yesterday after seeing a few peoples' data cut off, I was informed that their "unlimited" is actually 1000Mb of data. That is TOTAL data usage, period.

So, if it's not unlimited, then WHY advertise it as such? Couldn't this be construed as bait and switch, or false advertising?

[Kies]

I knew that, or we knew that.. it's a T-Mobile MVNO. They really have no access to "unlimited" resources. I tried to tell someone else that but they didn't quite understand that. 1000MB is more than enough for most.

What we're the ones doing on their phones to use up that much data? With light browsing, constant Twitter updates in the background, 3 email accounts updating every few hours, MOTOBLUR (FB+Twitter+Myspace) Google Maps, occasional Slacker tuning/Skyfire Flash content/tethering and various network speedtests I still have a hard time getting over 1GB/1024MB and this was before I let my phone sleep on WiFi.

[Cappii]

Completely understandable that it is an MVNO... Page Plus's unlimited talk and text is not unlimited, either. However, how far does this have to go before consumers stand up and say "enough"?

If GM offered a new car with unlimited gas mileage, only to find out after you buy it that you're getting about 40MPG, you'd be a little miffed, yes? It's not about only getting 1000Mb... I use Wi-Fi, and don't even bother with the data plan. It's about delivering what you are selling to the public. Not telling them "here's a peach", but giving them a lemon.

[offthegrid]

That was posted a few times in the thread about Simple going 'unlimited'. T-Mobile android users average less than 600mb per month so 1 gig probably works for most people.

[fonezfonz]

Unlimited for mvnos never is. Sprint mvnos offer more "unlimited" plans then anyone but it is a known fact that they have hard caps of 4000 to 6000 minutes (Liberty, Airlink and others.) If one wants as close to real "unlimited" as possible, avoid the mvnos, pay the higher price and get a brand name prepaid division like Tmobile, Att, Verizon or even VM or Boost mobile. They have limits on unlimited too but probably a lot higher level then mvnos. Their ability to give away gobs of non peak night/weekend and mobile to mobile minutes greatly pads their unlimited capabilities and not having to pay a middleman helps too.

But for paygo rates, mvnos beat most prepaid divisions hands down. VM, 20cpm, Boost, 10cpm, Platinum Tel: 5cpm.

[Telekom]

Unlimited for mvnos never is. Sprint mvnos offer more "unlimited" plans then anyone but it is a known fact that they have hard caps of 4000 to 6000 minutes (Liberty, Airlink and others.) If one wants as close to real "unlimited" as possible, avoid the mvnos, pay the higher price and get a brand name prepaid division like Tmobile, Att, Verizon or even VM or Boost mobile. They have limits on unlimited too but probably a lot higher level then mvnos. Their ability to give away gobs of non peak night/weekend and mobile to mobile minutes greatly pads their unlimited capabilities and not having to pay a middleman helps too.

But for paygo rates, mvnos beat most prepaid divisions hands down. VM, 20cpm, Boost, 10cpm, Platinum Tel: 5cpm.

The point I think that is trying to be stressed here is that if you advertise something as unlimited you can't claim that it's unlimited if you put a cap on it. Putting a cap on it means it's not unlimited. You can call it datamax® if you like, but if you call it unlimited and it's not that is deceptive advertising.

[fonezfonz]

It's also called "marketing". Face it, NOTHING is truly unlimited if you want to push it to that extreme. But 5000 minutes (for example) is PRACTICALLY unlimited for MOST PEOPLE. It's only those who hit the caps or otherwise violate their terms and conditions (fair use policy) who get booted or have drama from it. I bet nobody who hit 900 megs a month on Simple or 4 gigs on Boost cdma give a rip.

Deceptive advertising? ALL advertising is deceptive up to a point. How many times do you get that juicy Big Mac in the picture rather then that soggy one sitting in the warming bin? THAT could be construed as deceptive advertising if you so argued it.

This has been and will be brought up again. There is no such thing as TRUE unlimited anything. Just how much they'll let you get away with before you run into a cap, or terms of condition that gets you tossed.

[FreeWirelessMan]

As several have said above, most of the MVNO carriers and some of the "Big Boys" too have touted Unlimited even though it isn't truly unlimited. If it has a cap, especially one that is easily reachable by a heavy data user, then it isn't Unlimited. The only current Big carrier with Truly unlimited is Sprint.

However, there is an MVNO that offers Truly Unlimited Talk, Text & Data with No Contracts & No Data Caps...even let's you tether, all for only $60...and that's Lightyear Wireless.

Something else they offer that none of the other carriers offer is the ability to earn that unlimited service for Free...For Life. I thought that was absolutely awesome and have been with them for about two years now and they just added an allotment of free international calling included every month with your unlimited service. They just keep getting better & better.

[FreeWirelessMan]

Unlimited for mvnos never is. Sprint mvnos offer more "unlimited" plans then anyone but it is a known fact that they have hard caps of 4000 to 6000 minutes (Liberty, Airlink and others.) If one wants as close to real "unlimited" as possible, avoid the mvnos, pay the higher price and get a brand name prepaid division like Tmobile, Att, Verizon or even VM or Boost mobile. They have limits on unlimited too but probably a lot higher level then mvnos. Their ability to give away gobs of non peak night/weekend and mobile to mobile minutes greatly pads their unlimited capabilities and not having to pay a middleman helps too.

But for paygo rates, mvnos beat most prepaid divisions hands down. VM, 20cpm, Boost, 10cpm, Platinum Tel: 5cpm.

There is an MVNO that has Truly Unlimited Talk to Any number, Text & Data...with No Contract & No Data Caps...even gives you $5 in free international calling to anywhere in the world as part of their unlimited package...all for only $60...and that's Lightyear Wireless. They even give you a way to earn the unlimited service for free if you want.

[-pk-]

..

I'd have to see that in writing on their official website, not just being told by some MLM scheme rep linking his referral website with a thousand others just like it. 1) you have to buy their phones 2) nearly all of their phones are EDGE. 3) It's cheaper elsewhere.

[Cappii]

There is an MVNO that has Truly Unlimited Talk to Any number, Text & Data...with No Contract & No Data Caps...even gives you $5 in free international calling to anywhere in the world as part of their unlimited package...all for only $60...and that's Lightyear Wireless. They even give you a way to earn the unlimited service for free if you want.

Wow, Guy, spam much?
Also, at $60 for unlimited, you're not even in the game...

Try harder.

[fonezfonz]

Tmobile will be launching an all out attack with FIVE new plans including a new $60 unlimited talk/messaging/2gig data at 4g speeds and unlimited 2g thereafter. And they label it as such. No bs.

Your Tmobile 3g or 4g device can really stretch its legs. The Simple Mobile $40 plan is better suited for feature phones, 2G only capable smartphones (like any unlocked Att /gsm iphone) . The Tmo $60 plan bests the SM plan by being straight up and having roaming too.

SM needs to straighten up as its very own parent carrier is going to steal its thunder. I'd say the $40 plan is still a better deal then anything the Att mvnos can field at that price point though. But 3G? Nah.

[FreeWirelessMan]

I'd have to see that in writing on their official website, not just being told by some MLM scheme rep linking his referral website with a thousand others just like it. 1) you have to buy their phones 2) nearly all of their phones are EDGE. 3) It's cheaper elsewhere.

@pk Why the hostility...calm down. First, you & anyone else are welcome & encouraged to read that on their official site, that is why I provided the link, that is a company created site, not one I created. Second, "MLM scheme rep..." Seriously? You don't know me, it would be more intelligent for you to ask questions or do some due diligence before slinging ignorant titles or descriptions about a person you know nothing about. Third, yes you have to buy their phones, just like if you switch from AT&T to Verizon or from T-Mobile to Sprint, nothing new there. Fourth, None of the phones are EDGE as they are all CDMA...so that would be EV-DO, but they're all 3G & 4G. Fifth, Depends on what you mean by cheaper, sure you can get a free phone or a $99 phone with another carrier if you want to sign a two year contract, but if you are referring to No Contract service, then no, you won't find the phones cheaper with this level of Truly Unlimited service. Keeping in mind that since there is No Contract, you pay a higher price for a phone than if you were buying it from a company that locks you in for two years & charges you more for less service.

Lastly, you are welcome to ask any questions & I'd be happy to answer them. We all learn by getting answers to questions, I asked A Lot of questions before I became a Customer of this company and asked even more before I started telling others about it. The company is an 18 year old Telecommunications company that launched into wireless three years ago to try to change the way Customers are treated & to help them save money and make money. The founder of the company was the chairman of COMPTEL for six consecutive terms & the company is publicly traded which means pretty much everything they do & everything about them is of public record & able to be found. I've been a customer with them for over two years & have never been happier with a wireless company...and have saved thousands of dollars since I've been with them, as have many others. So yes, I now happily tell people about them so they know that there is a choice for us now.

[FreeWirelessMan]

Wow, Guy, spam much?
Also, at $60 for unlimited, you're not even in the game...

Try harder.

@Cappii I'm sorry if you took that as being SPAM, but I don't believe it was, as it was relevant & helpful information to the topic being discussed. But admittedly, I can see how it could sound a bit "pitchy", but kinda hard to not sound that way when you Love tech, business & helping people and you're in a business that allows you to happily do all three. (did that sound "pitchy" again...lol) What can I say, it's all true & I Love it!

As far as the $60 for unlimited not even being in the game...who are you comparing that to?
AT&T - would have you paying over $120 for unlimited service w/2yr contract, but they don't offer it anymore.
Verizon- would have you paying about the same w/2yr contract...but they don't offer it anymore either.
Sprint - still offers unlimited with a 2yr contract, but for about $100.
T-Mobile - doesn't offer truly unlimited service.
So I'd say $60 for truly unlimited service squarely puts me in the game. That doesn't even mention the other things that come with that truly unlimited service. And don't get me wrong, I know it's not for everyone, but for those want to save money & have more freedom, it's beautiful music to their ears.

[Telekom]

Freewirelessman appears to have joined the forum just so he could shill a company.